J Trauma
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Review Case Reports
Traumatic thoracobiliary fistula: report of a case successfully managed conservatively, with an overview of current diagnostic and therapeutic options.
Thoracobiliary fistula is a rare complication of hepatic trauma that may present a diagnostic and therapeutic challenge. We report a case of a thoracobiliary fistula complicating thoracoabdominal trauma. ⋯ Conservative therapy consists of a safe temporizing measure during the workup and may, on occasion, be the only therapy that is necessary provided that controlled drainage of the fistula is achieved. The current recommendation would be the exhaustion of nonoperative therapeutic modalities before resorting to surgical intervention.
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More than 20 years ago, critical care workers first observed that oxygenation improved when patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome were ventilated in the prone position. In recent reports, on turning prone, from 50 to 100% of patients improve oxygenation to a degree sufficient to allow a reduction in the level of positive end-expiratory pressure or fraction of inspired oxygen. ⋯ Although many questions regarding the role of prone ventilation are unanswered, of greatest importance is whether this technique reduces morbidity and mortality of patients with acute respiratory failure. Only carefully conducted, randomized trials can answer this question.
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Review Case Reports
Seat belt-related injury to the common iliac artery: case report and review of the literature.
Blunt trauma to the common iliac artery is a rare phenomenon. Although seat belt injuries to the abdominal aorta and the carotid artery have been reported, there is only one previous report in the literature of seat belt injury to the common iliac artery. We report a case of common iliac arterial injury directly related to use of the lap belt and not associated with pelvic or lumbar fractures. The literature related to blunt trauma of the common iliac artery is reviewed.
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Complete resuscitation from shock is one of the primary concerns of the surgeon taking care of injured patients. Traditionally, the return to normalcy of blood pressure, heart rate, and urine output has been the end point of resuscitation. ⋯ We believe that the current data support the use of lactate, base deficit, and/or gastric intramucosal pH as the appropriate end points of resuscitation of trauma patients. The goal should be to correct one or all of three of these markers of tissue perfusion to normal within the initial 24 hours after injury.